The fifth-ranked Panthers ran their winning streak to seven games with two more victories this week over Hamilton and Connecticut College. The Panthers, 15-3-1, beat Hamilton on Friday 6-1 followed by a 3-0 win over NESCAC rivals Connecticut College on Saturday. For the Panthers it was the ninth shutout win of the season. Senior goaltender Alexi Bloom ’11 improved her save percentage to .962 and is allowing less than a goal per game.
“I think we are doing a great job keeping the puck on the outside in our defensive zone,” Bloom said, “which really helps me see the puck and react. Also, the backs are clearing rebounds out very well, which is always a treat for any goalie.”
Head coach Bill Mandigo echoed Bloom’s sentiments. “I think we have also made a commitment to be better in our defensive zone,” he said. “We have concentrated a majority of our practices to the defensive zone.”
The Panthers are also beginning to find a rhythm in the offensive zone. They have scored 32 goals over their seven game winning streak and have outshot their opponents in all but two of them. Julia Ireland ’11 scored her team-leading 11th and 12th goals of the season in the game against Hamilton and first-year Sara Ugalde ‘14 found the back of the net in each game, giving her nine goals on the season.
The Panthers got off to a relatively slow start against the Continentals of Hamilton, finally breaking through 13:41 into the first period on a power play goal from Madeline Joyce ’14, her second of the year. The Panthers turned on the pressure in the second period however, opening up a 5-0 lead including consecutive goals from Ireland. Ireland scored twice in just over three minutes to start the period scoring at the 3:31 and 6:32 marks. The Panthers finished the period with goals from Grace Waters ’12 and Jamie Harisiades ’12 at 12:59 and 19:18 with a goal from the Continentals Stephanie Miguel ’11 in between. The Panthers added their sixth goal 12:27 into the final period when Ugalde beat Hamilton goaltender Becca Hazlett ’13 for her eighth goal of the season.
The Panthers faced a greater test in Connecticut College. The Mules outshot the Panthers 21-16 in the game, but could not find their way past Bloom. On the other end of the ice the Panthers scored a goal in each period, two of which came off of power plays. Senior Anna McNally ’11 grabbed the lead for the Panthers 18:12 into the first period for her seventh goal of the season. Waters and Maggie Melberg’‘12 assisted her on the play. Lauren Greer ’13 doubled the Panther lead in the second period with her sixth goal of the season on the Panthers second power play of the game. Sophomore defender Madison Styrbicki ‘13 recorded her first of two assists on the goal along with Ugalde. Ugalde scored the final goal for the Panthers on the team’s final power play. For the game the Panthers converted two of their four power plays and have converted over 21 percent of their power plays on the season.
“The Conn College game was really fun,” said Bloom. “They always put up a bigger fight than we expect. I kept looking up at the clock in the third period and wondering why they were mixing up the shots. Turns out we were actually getting outshot. This is something we will need to work on for our next two games.”
Coach Mandigo also emphasized areas where his team could use work. “We need to continue to improve on our power play,” he said. “We must also continue to play good defense and our forwards need to use their speed to our advantage.”
The Panthers will host fourth-ranked Norwich (15-3-1) on Tuesday. The Cadets now boast an eight-game winning streak.
Panthers hockey shuts down Camels, tallying ninth shutout of the season
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